Papal Blessing for a CAFOD Volunteer

There was a morning of joy and celebration at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Poringland on 6 May, writes Jane Crone from CAFOD in East Anglia.

In recognition of over 25 years of faithful service CAFOD volunteers receive a special honour, a papal blessing from Pope Leo XIV. On 6 May Jane Crone, CAFOD’s representative in the Diocese of East Anglia, presented a papal blessing to Mary Pitt from Our Lady of the Annunciation Poringland in recognition of her longstanding support of CAFOD in the parish, which began when she set up a One World group in 1984.

In his homily during the 10am Mass Fr Waldemar Niewiński reflected on the gospel of the day; John 15:1-8 in which Jesus says, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches’ and that through abiding in Him we can bear much fruit. But if we fail to abide in Him we can do nothing.

Presenting the award after Mass Jane thanked Fr Niewiński for his welcome and commented on how appropriate the day’s gospel was. She compared Mary’s many years of faithful support of CAFOD in the parish to a fruitful branch of the vine and noted that many members of the parish were present, nodding and smiling in agreement.

Volunteers’ week is celebrated across the country during the first week in June. Over the next few weeks CAFOD volunteers in other dioceses will be receiving Papal Blessings to thank them for their support. Christine Allen, CAFOD Director and CEO, said: “It is an honour to receive Pope Leo’s blessing, this highlights the significant role that volunteers play in strengthening communities and building a better world. Volunteers continue to inspire all of us through their service. Their example reminds us of the importance of working for the common good.”

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